Clevises come as components of the tie rod assemblies manufactured by Baseline Bolt and are used along with turnbuckles. Well, in a normal cross bracing assembly, the clevis supports a threaded rod at each end. One end of a clevis is gripped onto a steel plate & is well secured using a pin.

  • Clevis Number: The clevis number will identify the physical size of the forging. The clevis number corresponds to the “D” dimension on the drawing above. Only certain diameters of rods and pins will function properly with specific clevis numbers, so refer to the charts below for acceptable combinations.
  • Finish: Plain or hot-dip galvanized. Galvanized clevises will be tapped oversize to accept the threads of a hot-dip galvanized rod.
  • Diameter of Tap: The tap is the internally threaded “nut” portion of the clevis (dimension “W” above). The threaded rod will engage into the tap. The tap diameter will need to be specified when ordering. It is advisable to specify an “oversize” tap when ordering galvanized clevises, as the internal threads will be enlarged to accommodate the galvanized rod.
  • Thread Direction: When a single rod is connected with a clevis on each end, typically one clevis will possess right hand thread, while the other clevis will possess left hand thread. Therefore, half of the clevises will be left hand, while the other half will be right hand. If a turnbuckle lies in the middle of an assembly, both clevises typically possess right hand threads.
  • Grip: The grip of a clevis is the portion that slides over the gusset plate and is secured with a pin. Typically, the grip is ¼” larger than the thickness of the gusset plate.
  • Pin: The diameter and type of pin should be specified when ordering. The standard clevis pin is a piece of round bar with drilled holes and cotters on each end. This pin would be supplied if no type is specified. The pin slides through the gusset plate and clevis, is secured with the cotters,  and attaches the tie rod assembly to the gusset plate. Headed pins are also available, and engineers sometimes even specify A325 heavy hex structural bolts to be used as clevis pins. The length of the clevis pin will be determined by the clevis number and grip dimension and typically does not need to be specified when ordering.

A typical order would look like this:

Quantity of 32 pieces – #3 galvanized clevis with 1” right hand (oversize) tap, 1” grip, and 3/4” pin.

Our tie rod calculator will quickly determine rod lengths when given overall pin-to-pin dimensions of a tie rod assembly.

Availability

Clevises are not a stocked item but are available within a day or two. Clevises are provided in both plain finished and hot-dip galvanized medium carbon steel as well as stainless steel. Custom and nonstandard clevises are also available.

Dimensions

Click table to show drawing
Clevis Number Dimensions in Inches Weight
w/ Pin,
lbs.
Available Strength, kips Grip Part Numbers
Max, W Max, P D N A L T ASD LRFD Min Max Plain Galvanized
2 5/8 3/4 17/16 5/8 39/16 11/16 5/16 (+1/32 , -0) 1.5 5.83 8.75 12 34 17150 17151
21/2 7/8 11/2 21/2 1 4 11/4 5/16 (+1/32 , -0) 2.5 12.5 18.8 34 114 17152 17153
3 13/8 13/4 3 11/4 51/16 11/2 1/2 (+1/16 , -1/32) 5.0 25 37.5 34 112 17154 17155
31/2 11/2 2 31/2 11/2 6 13/4 1/2 (+1/16 , -1/16) 8.0 30 45 78 2 17156 17157
4 13/4 21/4 4 13/4 515/16 2 1/2 (+1/16 , -1/16) 11.0 35 52.5 78 214 17158 17159
5 21/8 21/2 5 21/4 7 21/2 5/8 (+3/32 , -0) 21.0 62.5 93.8 1 2-34 17160 17161
6 21/2 3 6 23/4 8 3 3/4 (+3/32 , -0) 32.0 90 135 1 312 17162 17163
7 3 33/4 7 3 9 31/2 7/8 (+1/8 , -1/16) 53.0 114 171 1 412 17164 17165
8 4 41/4 8 4 101/8 4 11/2 (+1/8 , -1/16) 80.0 225 338 1 5 17166 17167

Dimensions per AISC Steel Construction Manual fourteenth edition page 15-14 ASD - Allowable Stress Design LRFD - Load and Resistance Factor Design

Note: The grip size is normally specified as material thickness +¼", within the constraints of the above table.

Clevis Numbers for Various Rods and Pins

Dia. of Tap, in. Diameter of Pin in Inches
1/2 5/8 3/4 7/8 1 11/4 11/2 13/4 2 21/4 21/2 23/4 3 31/4 31/2 33/4 4 414
1/2 2 2 2
5/8 2 2 2 21/2 21/2 21/2 21/2
3/4 21/2 21/2 21/2 21/2 21/2
7/8 21/2 21/2 21/2 21/2 3
1 3 3 3 3
11/8 3 3 3 3 31/2
11/4 3 3 3 3 31/2
13/8 3 3 3 31/2 31/2 4
11/2 31/2 31/2 4 4 5
15/8 4 4 4 5 5 5
13/4 4 5 5 5 5
17/8 5 5 5 5 5
2 5 5 5 5 5 6 6
21/4 6 6 6 6 6 7 7
21/2 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7
2 3/4 7 7 7 7 8 8
3 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
31/4 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
31/2 8 8 8 8 8 8
33/4 8 8 8 8 8
4 8 8

Dimensions per AISC Manual of Steel Construction thirteenth edition page 15-15